After a terrific 4-1 win over high-flying, Champions League chasing, Bayer Leverkusen it looked as if Wolfsburg were going to push on and cement sixth place in the Bundesliga table as their own. But yet again, we saw another Bundesliga team lose at home; possibly a worrying sign for all of the lower end Premier League teams so greatly concerned about losing their home atmosphere advantage in the run in to the conclusion of that league.
It was an interesting game, with Wolfsburg wasting too many chances in the first half, whilst Eintracht Frankfurt held on and went into the break 1-0 up, courtesy of an André Silva penalty.
Wolfsburg got an equalizer in the second half, and although Frankfurt were much better in the second period, it still looked like Wolfsburg could snatch it. However, Daichi Kamada hit a late winner for the visitors, getting them a vital three points, and clawing themselves away from possibly getting involved in the relegation battle, following a rather ropey restart to the season for them.
Aside from this Lucas Torró received two yellows late on in such quick succession that it might have even made Alassane Pléa blush.
This tactical analysis gives an analysis of the tactics used by both sides in this Bundesliga clash.
Lineups
Wolfsburg fielded a 4-2-3-1 with Wout Weghorst as the lone striker, backed up by an attacking trio of Renato Steffen, João Victor, and Josip Brekalo. Marin Pongračić partnered John Brooks at centre-back, flanked with either side by Kevin Mbabu and Jérôme Roussillon, whilst Xaver Schlager partnered Maximilian Arnold in central midfield.
Eintracht Frankfurt shifted between a back three and a back four throughout the game but generally set up in an asymmetric 3-4-1-2, where Timothy Chandler played as the very reserved foil, to his “wing-back” teammate on the other side, Filip Kostić.
Kamada partnered André Silva up front, closely supported by Mijat Gaćinović.
Wolfsburg creating central space and dealing with Frankfurt’s compactness
Both teams looked to stretch the opposition throughout the game, and it was particularly telling in the final third which I will detail in a later section.
Wolfsburg had some set patterns throughout their build-up to break the first line of Frankfurt’s press, give instant width, and leave central space. Both teams pressed high with Frankfurt having a 4.45 PPDA, and Wolfsburg having a 6.61 PPDA, however, admittedly both teams had a relatively low amount of passes per minute, and slower ball progression does lead itself to a seemingly more “intense” PPDA.
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